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The world’s libraries. Connected.
Archival Collections Assessment
The state of the state
RBMS 2012 Preconference, San Diego, 20 June#RBMS12
Merrilee Proffitt
Senior Program OfficerOCLC Research
@MerrileeIAm
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
• Systematic, purposeful gathering of information about archival collections
• “Census” of collections
• Can consist of both qualitative and quantitative data
• Designed to help institution act strategically
What is collections assessment?
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
Why collections assessment?
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
Too much to do, too many possible directions!• Cataloging & Processing (backlogs)
• Digitization
• Preservation
• Collection management
However, what to tackle highly dependant on local context
Priorities shaped by resources and opportunities
Why collections assessment?
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
Why collections assessment?
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
Why collections assessment?
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
What we know about collections assessment
bit.ly/rbms_assess(pro tip! Google “taking stock and making hay”)
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
• You can do this!
• There are models, techniques and tools for you to use
• A growing community of institutions and practitioners
• Doesn’t require special skills
What we know about collections assessment
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
• A range of institutions have used collections assessment for
• Dealing with the backlog (processing, cataloging)
• Prioritizing for preservation
• Collection management
• Making a case for funding
What we know about collections assessment
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
• Opportunities spaces?
• Digitization and risk analysis
• Assessing “born digital” needs
• Collaborative uses
What we know about collections assessment
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
What we know about collections assessment
Foundations program: “…grants of up to $40,000 will support planning, assessment, and pilot activities that incorporate expertise from a mix of professional domains.”
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The world’s libraries. Connected.
Collections Assessment in Action!